Why do I hate running so much?

Here’s the thing y’all. I hate running. Like, I mean if I had to run for my life, I am pretty sure I could get down with that. But running for leisure? For sport? Hate it.

I’ve talked about this before. This hatred of using my legs to move only slightly faster than walking pace (debatable), yet I can’t let myself move on. I have to beat this. I have to force my body into submission to this superior form of exercise. Ugh.

Here’s running:

And then here’s me:

As you can tell, I’m not what they would call a “runner’s runner” (channeling Chris Farley here). My nickname in High School was “husky”. It was affectionately bestowed upon me in truth and humor and I can own that husk. But these days? I am insanely competitive with myself and I can’t stand it when my body and or soul tells me I can’t do something. I don’t accept it.

I had a dismal first 5k experience in 2007 and another one that was only slightly better a year or two later. Since then I’ve been on a steady diet of having babies, working out on the elliptical and running on three, no four different occasions. Oh and countless visits to the donut shop.

Except there is this nagging in the back of my mind saying RUN FORREST!!! RUN! And while for a minute all I am thinking about is chocolate, I know what it really means.

I can’t let this go. WHYYYYY can’t I let it go!?

So I’ve secretly been planning on a few local 5ks this year and I don’t know…maybe I am considering a half-marathon in 2014?

HAHA..HAHAHAH….My side!

We’ll see. I don’t know why I hate running so much. It’s basically the cheapest sport you can choose. I mean sure shoes can get pricey, but you have to use those bad boys in order for them to wear out. And I don’t mean in that look at me in my workout gear at Trader Joe’s buying kale kind of way. It’s sortof more like OMG when did a four minute song take 20 minutes to play? I might die before this song ever ends!

Andrea Updyke is a married mom of two boys living in Raleigh, NC. A self-proclaimed social media nerd, she published her first book, Klout for Dummies, in 2013.
Andrea's personal mission is to celebrate the big and the small in parenting young children. She also shares her many attempts at balancing working-from-home and motherhood along with the fun stuff like traveling to Walt Disney World, running half-marathons and drinking way too much coffee.

Comments

Not me. I hate it too. I’ve done half-marathons, and they suck. I think people either love running, or they don’t. Thank goodness there are other forms of exercise! Because I’m not about to give up the donuts.

I similarly used to hate running, for me it was because I didn’t think there was any way I could do it well. I attended a running clinic for women and even participated in a couple 5k events, but I still wasn’t a consistent runner. I even used some of the Couch to 5k apps out there (which are really good). Then I came upon Doctormama’s website and my running life changed. I began to like it and be decent at it. Though now I am injured (not running related), and I actually MISS running. Good luck!http://doctormama.blogspot.com/2006/05/listen-up-maggots.html?m=1

I have learned to really enjoy running…in fact I am doing a 1/2 on March 17th! I am by no means fast, but slow and steady….What local races are you doing? I live in Clayton, so I’m always looking for local events. And of course always looking, means hoping that the stars align and schedules align that will allow me the time to myself:)

Oh girly, I hear you. I want to like running. Heck, I just want to be good at it, but I am. NOT. a runner. I even did a marathon (totally for charity) and walked most of it. If I couldn’t run then, then I know it’s just not for me.

I’m trying so hard to love running for the same reasons as you — it’s a cheap and effective form of exercise. And though I ran more than I ever have in my life during the spring and summer (once a week! Wow!) I retired my running shoes the moment temperatures dropped below 40. Instead, I became a snarling, embittered bear of a human being with my butt glued to the chair by our wood-burning stove. I see women in long sleeves and beanies jogging on the side of the road and wonder how, HOW do they do it?!?

Here’s where I get all… preachy. There are SO many other ways to enjoy fitness than *running.* SO MANY OTHER WAYS. And there’s a lot of mixed media out there on the fact that running may not be so good for you.

I really consider this running thing to be a trend. For my running fan friends, good for them. But for the rest of us… just find a way to be healthy and find a fitness routine you like. Change it up every now and then to keep active. Try Pilates, Zumba, Yoga, High Intensity, small weights, heavy weights… whatever.

Ugh, I hear you. I have tried and failed many times. But I realize that it’s most likely just not for me, and as Julie said, there are definitely other ways to exercise and that’s perfectly acceptable!

Good for you for getting back into the game…or just, you know, getting into the game at all.

I hated running growing up. I hated physical activity in general growing up. Especially once I hit middle school and high school. I preferred raviolis to running. But then I got pregnant and had a baby just before summer when I was 18 and was a little bit like “OMG I have to wear a bikini in 6 weeks!!!!” And that’s how life scared me into running. But it definitely isn’t for errybody. Try to find a good playlist, awesome comfy shoes (and clothes), and a good route. And keep at it for a while to let the habit develop 🙂

[…] healthy weight. But I want the process to be sustainable, which means slower, smaller changes. I am running again and trying to be more consistent with my exercise. I am swapping veggies for useless snacks. […]

[…] healthy weight. But I want the process to be sustainable, which means slower, smaller changes. I am running again and trying to be more consistent with my exercise. I am swapping veggies for useless snacks. […]